Salary: £51,356 to £67,030 per annum
Grade: N to SM1 SCP 40-49
Contract Type: Permanent
Vacancy Hours: Full Time, 37 hours per week, full year
Location: Stokesley, North Yorkshire
About this Role
Director of Communities and Partnerships Areté Communities (a partner organisation of Areté Learning Trust).
Job Details
Hours of Work: 37 Hours Per Week, Full Year
Salary / Grade: Grade N - Grade SM1
Position Type: Permanent
Line Manager: CEO/CFOO
Travel Required: Yes
Areté Learning Trust is developing an ambitious communities and partnerships strategy, extending our impact beyond the classroom to better support children, families and the communities we serve. As part of this, we are establishing Areté Communities to lead the development of our Community Hub model and early help offer.
We are now seeking an exceptional individual to:
- shape and lead a place-based communities’ strategy
- develop and scale our Community Hub model
- build strong partnerships across education, local authority, health and the voluntary sector
- secure sustainable funding to support long-term impact
This is a rare opportunity to design and lead a model that connects education, community and partnership working at a system level.
Why this role matters
Across our schools, work with families and communities is already developing, but it is fragmented and variable.
This role will:
- bring coherence, scale and strategic leadership
- strengthen early help and prevention
- support improved outcomes for children and families
- position the Trust as a leading partner within its communities
If you are ready for the next step in your career and feel your experience aligns with this opportunity, we would be delighted to receive your application.
If you would like an informal conversation about the role, or to arrange a visit to the Trust, please contact Beth Reilly, Executive PA, via email at [email protected]
A Message from the CEO
Thank you for your interest in the Director of Communities & Partnerships position at Areté Learning Trust.
At Areté, we are on a mission to be an excellent trust with excellent schools, and we would be delighted for you to join us in that work.
We are a values-driven trust, bringing this to life every day through our commitment to excellence, equity and integrity. We recognise the unique value of every individual and are dedicated to ensuring that all members of our Trust reach their full potential through Striving for Excellence.
We work closely with stakeholders and external organisations to build partnerships that enhance opportunities for all. We firmly believe that every child, regardless of their background, deserves an excellent education and an equal opportunity to fulfil their potential. This vision guides us in creating an environment where every pupil can thrive.
As part of our Trust, our schools a commitment to the holistic development of pupils - academically, socially and emotionally. We aim to instil a passion for lifelong learning and continuous improvement, empowering both staff and students to pursue their aspirations and ambitions.
Our goal is to create a community of schools that is inclusive, embraces diversity, and fosters a supportive environment where all feel inspired and empowered to succeed.
We look forward to your application and thank you for your interest in joining Areté Learning Trust.
About the Trust
Areté Learning Trust currently comprises 11 schools, educating over 7,000 young people across North Yorkshire, from ages 2 to 18. Our learners are at the heart of everything we do.
At Areté Learning Trust, we work collaboratively to ensure that all our pupils and staff have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Our Trust is committed to promoting:
- health, happiness and wellbeing
- a safe, disciplined and supportive environment
- a love of learning through a passionate and committed approach
- high standards and expectations
- integrity, kindness and good manners
- respect for individuality and difference
- collaborative working to secure excellence
To realise our aspiration for every child to be the best they can be, we are committed to Striving for Excellence in all that we do.
Why work for us?
We want everyone who works within Areté Learning Trust to feel valued and to understand how their role contributes to the bigger picture.
We seek colleagues who are prepared to take personal responsibility and challenge the norm in order to improve outcomes. In return, we are committed to providing an empowering and supportive environment in which all staff can thrive.
We are proud to be an employer of choice, where our schools and central team are great places to work. We are committed to providing first-class professional development and enabling ambitious colleagues to grow their careers with us.
To give our learners the very best education and opportunities, we are committed to recruiting and retaining exceptional people across all areas of our organisation.
Regardless of role, we seek staff who:
- have high expectations of themselves and others
- are committed to our Trust values
- show initiative and respond positively to change
- have strong interpersonal skills and can inspire and motivate others
- are creative in their approach to problem solving
- are able to influence effectively
- are strong team players
About the role
As Director of Communities and Partnerships, you will:
- lead the development of a Trust-wide communities’ strategy, including the growth and evolution of our Community Hub model
- shape place-based approaches to early help and family support
- play a key role in system-wide partnership working across local authorities, health services and the voluntary sector
- secure sustainable funding to support services, staffing and long-term delivery
- ensure inclusion, safeguarding and equity are embedded across all work
- work closely with schools, families and communities to create trusted, accessible and effective local provision
This is a senior leadership role combining strategy, system leadership, partnership development, delivery and funding, with the opportunity to shape and lead the development of Areté Communities from the outset.
About you
You will be:
- passionate about inclusion, social justice and supporting vulnerable families
- experienced in working with children, families and communities
- confident operating at senior level with funders, commissioners and partners
- skilled in securing external funding
- motivated by the opportunity to build something new with strong organisational backing
We welcome applications from candidates with backgrounds in the voluntary sector, local government, health, or related fields.
Contractual arrangements
The postholder will initially be employed by Areté Learning Trust, providing stability and support during the early development phase.
The role will lead the work of Areté Communities, with the intention that employment will transfer to the organisation as it is formally established, subject to appropriate governance and legal processes and with continuity of service.
We welcome applications from all backgrounds; for more information, please refer to our careers page https://www.arete.uk/careers/working-for-arete-learning-trust
If you are ready for the next step in your career and you feel that your skill set makes you a good fit for this very exciting opportunity, then we look forward to receiving your application.
Application Process
Please complete the online application form to apply for this role: https://mynewterm.com/jobs/5622/EDV-2026-ALT-67103
All candidates are advised to refer to the job description and person specification before making an application. You should use the information supplied with in the Job Description & Person Specification to make the best of your application by identifying some specific pieces of work you may have undertaken in any of these areas. Your application may be viewed in regard to some or all of the skill specific areas over the course of the selection process. Applications via agencies will not be considered.
The Areté Learning Trust is committed to safeguarding and protecting our children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to this commitment. All posts are subject to a safer recruitment process which includes enhanced criminal records and barring checks, scrutiny of employment history, robust referencing and other vetting checks. Online searches may be done as part of due diligence checks.
Our safeguarding system is underpinned by a range of policies and procedures which encourage and promote safe working practice across the Trust. On joining you will be required to undergo continuous professional development to maintain safe working practice and to safeguard our children and young people.
Key Documents
Recruitment Pack.pdf
Key Dates
Closing Date: Monday 08 June 2026
Interview Date: Friday 12 June 2026
North Yorkshire Council (NYC) advertise vacancies on behalf of schools and external organisations (third parties) in North Yorkshire. NYC are not responsible for the recruitment/employment practices of third parties and accept no liability in relation to the vacancy and any subsequent recruitment/employment processes. Enquiries regarding the vacancy or practices should be made directly with the third party.
